Indian team Vice-Captain Rishabh Pant impressed Sunil Gavaskar with his controlled batting against England on Day 1 of the first Test in Headingley.
Rishabh Pant, who came in to bat with a solid total of 221/3 on the board and the well-set Shubman Gill at the other end, began his innings with a boundary off the second ball against Ben Stokes. While many expected Pant to play his natural aggressive game on a surface that looked good for batting, he took a different route. His approach was calm and composed and in control, and it paid off as he managed to score 65*(102) with 6 fours and 2 sixes.
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Gavaskar Praises Pant’s Composed Knock
Meanwhile, Sunil Gavaskar who had been critical of Pant’s batting in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2025 due to his cautious approach on several occasions, even calling him “stupid” on air, was impressed with this knock. He praised Pant for his measured style.
“It seems like that’s how he plays. When he comes in to bat, on the second or third ball, he often uses his feet and hits a boundary. It makes him feel free and then allows him to play the way he wants. Over here, he's been measured in his approach, giving himself time out in the middle. But once he's in and the bowlers start to tire, that's when he begins to step down the pitch and attack, hitting big shots, sixes, and boundaries,” said Gavaskar on Sony Sports.
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India on Front Foot at the end of Day 1
India dominated England on Day 1, with centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill helping the team post 359/3. So far, it’s turned out to be a good toss to lose, as the surface improved for batting. Indian batters showed discipline, not going after every bowler but finding boundaries when needed.
Meanwhile, the England bowlers have been under tremendous pressure. Ben Stokes has been their best performer with the ball at the end of Day 1. England will need to use the morning session wisely to pick up wickets, or India looks set to post a massive first-innings total.
Stay tuned for more updates on the 1st Test.
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